Navigate to Homepage
Search
Main navigation
  

        
              Explore the Capitol Campus
                          Art
                            Buildings & Grounds
                            Capitol Hill Facts
                            Visitor Resources
                            Our Blog
                            What We Do
                          Areas of Expertise
                            Programs & Ceremonies
                            Projects
                            Publications
                            Strategic Objectives
                            About Us
                          Who We Are
                            History of the AOC
                            News & Notices
                            Organizational Structure
                            Partnerships & Recognition
                            Work With UsSearch Breadcrumb
    HomeExplore the Capitol CampusOur Blog
Inspiration from History

Discover the meaning behind the Car of History Clock in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall. This marble sculpture, created in 1819, is among the oldest works of art in the Capitol. It depicts Clio, the muse of History, holding a book in which she records events as they unfold.
By Sharon Gang | March 19, 2014
        
                  Image
    Face of a statue.

When I point out the Car of History clock in National Statuary Hall to friends and family I inevitably get the same question: "Where's the car?"

This marble sculpture, created in 1819, is among the oldest works of art in the Capitol. It depicts Clio, the muse of History, holding a book in which she records events as they unfold.

That's the history reference.

Clio stands in a winged chariot, or car.

That's the car reference.

I thought if I dug deeper I'd find a more satisfactory explanation for the name of the clock and what it represents.

From materials I gathered in the AOC Curator's office I learned that it was the second Architect of the Capitol, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, who first sketched the clock that he wanted to be placed over the north door of the Hall of the House of Representatives, opposite the Speaker's desk. He drew a female figure seated in a chariot holding something in her left hand. He gave her winged chariot a clock for its outward wheel.

Latrobe secured the services of Italian artist Carlo Franzoni who made a model for the clock and ultimately carved the clock itself.

The design was changed to depict what we see today – a standing female figure clothed in heavy classical Greek or Roman garments. In her left arm, she holds a book while looking in the opposite direction. This is Clio's traditional book of remembrance in which she is recording the events of the nation. She is passing in a winged car over a globe, on which are inscribed three signs of the zodiac. The signs of the zodiac represent the passage of time as does the clock face on the wheel of the car.

The clock's works, installed in 1837, are by Simon Willard who some consider America's most well-known clockmaker.

Although the meeting place for the House of Representatives moved in 1857, the clock still faces an entrance to the House chamber. It is meticulously cared for by the AOC's Electronic Engineering Division whose staff wind it every week, and the AOC Curator who directs its preservation.

Digging deeper definitely helped me to appreciate and interpret the clock. And I'm not the only one who's been inspired by it. John Quincy Adams, who served eight terms in Congress after he had been President, was so moved by this beautiful clock that he wrote the following sonnet:

*Historic muse! Who from thy winged car
Pursuest thy rapid and unwearied flight;
Recording all that passes in thy sight,
And all thou hearest of the wordy war,*

*The wit, the wisdom, the conflicting jar
Of ranting, raving parties, day and night
Beneath the sunbeams or the taper light
The frantic reason of this wandering star.*

*Oh! Muse historic – in thy march sublime
Still urging onward on the wheels of time,
Canst thou not whisper to the chosen band,
But for one day to calm their senseless rage,
And let thy volume bear one blessed page
Of deeds devoted to their native land.*
Comments
    
  
    
Tchiock (not v... (not verified)PermalinkApril 8, 2016 - 11:26pmWonderful! Thank you--
ReplyGertrude R. Douglas  (not verified)PermalinkJanuary 6, 2022 - 8:57pmWhat a beautiful piece of sculpture. Facinating.
Replyjanice spoone (not verified)PermalinkJanuary 11, 2022 - 10:19amThank you very much.  Beautiful.  I love the book on John Adams.  JHS
ReplyKathleen Tirpak (not verified)PermalinkOctober 24, 2022 - 11:54amThanks for sharing John Quincy Adams' wonderful ode to Clio.
ReplyAdd new comment
    Your name
Email Address
        The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Comment
About text formats
Plain text
  
  
      
          No HTML tags allowed.
                      Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
                      Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
          
    
      Recent Stories
Related Articles
            
          History & Discoveries

  Evolution of Women in Art at the U.S. Capitol

An in-depth look at the evolution of women in art at the U.S. Capitol.
    History & Discoveries

  Capitol Illumination

Learn more about the history of lighting this iconic building including the part of the Dome called the "tholos."
    History & Discoveries

  Artfully Yours, George Washington

While George Washington never actually graced the halls of the U.S. Capitol, his presence, influence and even his likeness, is everywhere including 35 pieces of art.
    History & Discoveries

  Unearthing Capitol Hill's Buried History

Visit Congressional Cemetery and discover the many connections the Architect of the Capitol has to this hallowed ground.
    
                      More Stories Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

              Contact Us
                            Accountability
                            Hill Staff Resources
                            AOC Staff Resources
Utility
  

        
              Privacy Policy
                            Image Terms of Use
                            Inspector General
                            U.S. Botanic Garden
                            U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterFacebook
	Twitter
	Flickr
	YouTube
	Instagram
	Subscribe